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Starnex CamBall SG-30 User Manual

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World's Smallest Camcorder
CamBall
SG-30/SG-31

User Manual

REV 00 – 20090709

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Summary of Contents for Starnex CamBall SG-30

  • Page 1: User Manual

    World’s Smallest Camcorder CamBall SG-30/SG-31 User Manual REV 00 – 20090709...

  • Page 2: Safety Precautions

    Notice [Legal Disclaimer] Use of this product for illicit purposes, including invasion of personal privacy, is punishable by law and Starnex disclaims any and all responsibilities resulting thereof. [EMC Registration] This device is a B grade EMC-registered device that’s safe for residential use in all regions. Safety Precautions [Handling] CamBall is a precision hardware that is vulnerable to excessive impact.

  • Page 3: Important Notice

    Do not attempt to disassemble or repair the device yourself. If you experience a problem with the product, contact a Starnex retailer or an authorized service center for repair. Do not use your CamBall near bodies of water without the waterproof case or allow it to get wet.

  • Page 4: Table Of Contents

    Table of Content Configurations using an External Display Product Overview ........5 Device ................36 Standard Pack of CamBall(SG30/31) ..5 6.1.1 Language ............. 36 Optional Accessories ......... 6 6.1.2 Camera Settings ..........36 1.2.1 Surveillance Pack (SG-SVP) ......6 6.1.3 Recording Settings ..........

  • Page 5: Product Overview

    Product Overview Standard Pack of CamBall(SG30/31) CamBall is a miniature electronic device and therefore needs to be unboxed with care. Check to make sure all of the following items are included in the standard package of CamBall. Contact your retailer if any of these items are missing. Application Generation of User Contents, Conference Recording, Vehicle Drive Recording, Travel Recording, Class Recording, Baby Diary Recording, Hands-Free Recording of Outdoor...

  • Page 6: Optional Accessories

    Optional Accessories 1.2.1 Surveillance Pack (SG-SVP) When you use CamBall for the surveillance of home, office or small business, this pack(SG-SVP) will be helpful in supplying CamBall with continuous electric power and placing it where you want to. USB Extension USB Adapter Box Mount Cable...

  • Page 7: Lcd Monitor Pack (Sg-Lmp)

    1.2.4 LCD Monitor Pack (SG-LMP) With CamBall LCD Monitor, you can view CamBall’s field of frame when you take a snapshot or record a moving picture, and it is also used for playing back and editing of them. You can use it as an external monitor screen when you change the configuration of your CamBall and also as an external battery(3.7V-700Ma) for supplying electric power for your CamBall.

  • Page 8: Front

    Front Microphone Line of Sight Camera Reset Button Rear External Memory Slot Center Button Direction Buttons (4) LED Lamps (8) USB Port...

  • Page 9: Connecting Your Camball

    Connecting Your CamBall Charging the Battery Connecting your CamBall to a computer (USB port) using the USB cable(SG-99) will activate CamBall’s REC, MP3, TV, and TYPE lamps in a cross shape and automatically start charging the device’s battery. It takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to completely charge the battery. Once CamBall is connected to a computer via the USB cable, CamBall will start charging but will not be able to record video.

  • Page 10: Earphone Connection

    Earphone Connection When the MP3 mode enabled, connect the earphones to CamBall’s USB port using the earphone gender(SG-83), as shown below: Using Accssories CamBall Holder: Push CamBall in until you hear a click. CamBall Holder allows you to fixate CamBall’s camera angle and position. It also allows you to mount CamBall on the table or even on the wall using double-side adhesive tape.
  • Page 11 Sport Band + CamBall Holder:...

  • Page 12: Basic Operation

    Basic Operation Preparations Plug CamBall into USB port of your computer using USB Cable(SG99) or into the wall socket using USB Cable(SG99) and USB Adapter(SG95), and leave it for at least two and half hours to fully charge CamBall’s battery Insert the external memory card (Micro SD) into the external memory slot.

  • Page 13: Indication Lamps

    Reset The Reset button is located deep inside CamBall and can be accessed using a clip or another sharp, long object. Reset if CamBall is malfunctioning and/or cannot be powered off. Pressing the Reset button powers down CamBall. To restart it, press and hold the Center button.

  • Page 14: Camball Operation By Mode

    CamBall Operation by Mode Indication lamps change colors depending on the selected modes. (1) Standby Mode (REC, MP3, and TV Indication Lamps: Off): Standby or taking snapshot. (2) Recording Mode (REC Indication Lamp: + Green): Recording video. (3) MP3 Mode (MP3 Indication Lamp: Green): Playing MP3. (4) TV Mode (TV Indication Lamp: Green): Recording/Playing/Setting with connection of monitor.
  • Page 15 Note Standby Mode (1) Overview Standby mode is when REC, MP3, and TV indication lamps are all off. From the Standby mode, you can change modes into the Recording mode, the MP3 mode, or the TV mode and even change the recording type. By pressing the Center button while in the standby mode you can take snapshots.

  • Page 16: Snapshots Utilizing An External Display

    4.1.2 Snapshots utilizing an External Display Device It’s possible to connect your CamBall to a TV monitor a CamBall LCD monitor (SG-LMP, sold separately) and take pictures while viewing CamBall’s field of vision on the screen. (computer may not be used as external display devices). ○...
  • Page 17 that it contains a CONFIG folder, as shown below. ○ Snapshot files are saved in the PHOTO folders in both disk drives ○ Open the PHOTO folder and select photo files to view or edit the pictures using StarEncoder (included in the CD-ROM). Built-in Memory External Memory Note...
  • Page 18 ○ Place the curser on the file you wish to view and press the Center button. ○ While a photo is being displayed, press the [◀] button to view the previous file and the [▶] button to view the next file. ○...

  • Page 19: Recording Video (Recording Mode)

    Recording Video (Recording Mode) With CamBall, you can record video and audio. You can also utilize an external display device like TV monitor or CamBall LCD monitor(SG94) when you record with CamBall. Note Before recording Video… Carefully read 5. Initial Configurations and 6. CamBall Configurations of this manual and configure the date/time, monitor, and memory settings before recording video and audio.

  • Page 20: Video Playback And Edit

    ○ From the menu displayed on screen, select Record and then press the Center button. This turns on the REC indication lamp, and CamBall starts displaying its field of vision on the screen, and commences to record video. ○ Press the [◀] button or press and hold the [▲] button over 2 seconds to stop recording. Note Recording Video when Memory is Full You will not be able to record additional footage when CamBall reaches full memory capacity...
  • Page 21 Note Size of Recorded File and Disk Drive Naming of Micro SD card on a PC CamBall generates and saves recorded files in the built-in storage in 1 hour long or 20MB sized segment units, whichever comes first. For the external storage CamBall generates and saves recorded files in 1 hour long or 300MB sized segment units.
  • Page 22 ○ Place the curser on the file you wish to view and press the Center button to view the file. ○ While a video file is being played, press the [◀] button to play the previous file and the [▶] button to play the next file.
  • Page 23 Playback/Edit Buttons Short: Pause/Play Short: Volume Up Long: Power On/Off Short: Next Short: Previous Long: Fast Forward Long: Exit Short: Volume Down TV Lamp Long: TV Mode On/Off Green: TV Mode...

  • Page 24: Special Video Recording Types With Camball Sg-31

    Special Video Recording Types with CamBall SG-31 These types do not apply to CamBall SG-30. On top of normal video recording, CamBall SG-31 supports the Types of Surveillance Recording, Vehicle Recording, and Angel Recording. 4.3.1 Selection of Recording Type Recording type can be selected and changed when CamBall is in Standby Mode.
  • Page 25 powered by USB Cable(SG99)/USB Adapter Gender(SG73) or the USB Adapter(SG95), recording will continue until manually stopped. Charging: No matter the level of remaining battery reserve, CamBall will charge the battery if plugged into a power source. (2) Surveillance Recording (TYPE Lamp: Red) – SG31 Only Overview: Select this recording type to use your CamBall as a surveillance recording device.
  • Page 26 Note Configuring Recording Duration After Engine Shutoff Run CamBall Manager.exe file on your PC or set your CamBall on TV Mode with an external display device, and then click the menu, Settings>Other>Recording Duration After Engine Shutoff. Note Powering CamBall with the Center Button under Vehicle Recording Mode Powering CamBall when it is in Vehicle Recording mode does not require you to press and hold the Center button over 2 seconds.

  • Page 27: Motion Detection Recording In Detail

    Note Resumption of Recording when Power Restored Under surveillance or vehicle recording types or when recording in TV mode, restoring power back to CamBall after due to depletion of its internal power supply or manual interruption (by pressing the Center button while recording) will automatically reinitiate recording. This advanced feature eliminates the need for the user to physically restart recording in case of CamBall’s remote location.

  • Page 28: Mp3 Mode

    MP3 Mode MP3 Mode Buttons and Indication Lamps Short: Volume Up Long: Change Folder Short: Prev. Track Short: Next Track Long: Play Type Long: MP3 Mode On/Off TYPE Indication Lamp Off: Shuffle Red: Repeat Track MP3 Indication Lamp Green: Repeat Folder Green: MP3 Mode Red+Green: Repeat All Short: Pause/Play...

  • Page 29: Editing Mp3 Files

    Note If There is No MP3 Files in the MP3 Folder Each of CamBall’s internal and external disk drive contains three MP3 folders. If you set your CamBall on MP3 mode when all the MP3 files are vacant, all the indication lamps will blink five times and CamBall will revert back to Standby Mode.
  • Page 30 To end MP3 playback and return to the previous menu, press and hold the [◀] button over 2 ○ seconds.

  • Page 31: Initial Configurations

    Initial Configurations Overview and you will be guided by the following steps: 1. CamBall Manager Version Check: 5.1.1 What are Initial Configurations? CamBall checks the version of CamBall Initial Configurations refers to the process of Manager and upgrades it with a newer upgrading your CamBall’s software to the version, if any.

  • Page 32: Camball Firmware

    When the following dialog prompts, click Safely Remove Hardware. In the next dialog, select USB Mass Storage Device and then click Stop. 5.2.2 CamBall Firmware After checking the version of CamBall Firmware, CamBall Manager will prompt you to make a language selection if CamBall Firmware is up to date.

  • Page 33: Basic Configurations

    Once your CamBall powers down, reconnect it to the PC. 5.3.2 Language Selection Since you’ve already made your language selection during the upgrading process, you When you see the dialog below, click Upgrade can skip this step. Done. However, if you wish to change your language selection, select the desired language from the Language Set menu and then click Apply.

  • Page 34: Date/Time Settings

    NTSC. Select the device you wish to remove from the PC and click Stop. 5.3.4 Date/Time Settings From the Date/Time Set menu, set the current date and time and then the desired display format. Click Apply Date/Time when finished. When you see the following dialog, click OK. Disconnect your CamBall from the PC once you see the following message: A message will display, prompting you to...
  • Page 35 After a few moments, you will see Update Done dialog. Click Apply Date/Time to complete your Initial Configurations.

  • Page 36: Camball Configurations

    CamBall Configurations Configurations using an 6.1.2 Camera Settings External Display Device 6.1.2.1. Brightness Choose OPTION>CAMERA SET, place the Activating/Deactivating TV Mode: cursor on BRIGHTNESS and then press the Connect CamBall to an external display Center button. device (refer to section 4.1.2.). Activation: From Standby Mode (refer to section 4.1.1.), press and hold the ▼...
  • Page 37 Enabling this option allows clearer recording under low light level conditions. The frame rate will decrease, however. The default setting is On. A reference image will display with a contrast level indication. Adjust the contrast level using the ▲ and ▼ buttons. NIGHT MODE: ON Configurable range is between 1 and 20, and the default setting is 15.

  • Page 38: Recording Settings

    FLIP VERTICAL:OFF 6.1.3 Recording Settings 6.1.3.3. Overwrite Setting 6.1.3.1. Video Recording Enabling this option will overwrite oldest Use this option to enable/disable video recording data with new recording data. recording. Setting this option to Off disables Please backup all important files. video recording and enables audio recording Choose OPTION>RECORD SET, place the only.
  • Page 39 6.1.3.5. Video Quality 6.1.3.7. Zoom-In Choose OPTION>RECORD SET, place the Choose OPTION>RECORD, place the cursor cursor on QUALITY and press the Center on ZOOM IN and then enable/disable the button to select the quality level. setting using the Center button. Available settings are Ultra High, High, The default setting is Off.

  • Page 40: Playback Settings

    Note With Audio Recording disabled If CamBall is configured to record video only, motion detection will trigger 5-second recordings only, regardless of the video recording time setting. 6.1.3.9. Motion Detection 1. Sensitivity Use this option to define the level of motion detection sensitivity.

  • Page 41: Date/Time

    Setting options available are Normal, Repeat, and Repeat All. The default setting is Normal. 6.1.6 Memory Settings 6.1.6.1. Capacity Choose OPTION>MEMORY SET, place the 6.1.4.2. MP3 Playback cursor on CAPACITY and then press the Center button. Choose OPTION>PLAYBACK SET, place the cursor on MP3 PLAYBACK SET and then press the Center button.

  • Page 42: Other

    6.1.6.4. Memory Format Micro SD card, please disable this option. Even with this option disabled, it will be Choose OPTION>MEMORY SET, place the possible for you to use the internal memory cursor on FORMAT and then press the for your MP3 files. Center button.
  • Page 43 The default setting is ‘Always On’. 6.1.7.2. Auto Power Off Auto Power Off is an option that automatically 6.1.7.4. Recording Duration After Engine turns off the power of CamBall if no action is Shutoff taken for the configured amount of time This option applies to Vehicle Recording (1~9mins).
  • Page 44 With Angel Recording option enabled, CamBall will record for the defined recording time, stop recording for the defined standby time, and repeat the process. Pressing the Center button in an emergency situation triggers CamBall to start recording for the defined emergency record duration. Choose OPTION>OTHERS, place the cursor on ANGEL RECORD SETUP and then press the Center button.

  • Page 45: From Camball Manager

    From CamBall Manager Connect CamBall to your PC using the USB cable. The top, bottom, left, and right indication lamps will turn on Green indicate that CamBall has been recognized and is being charged. From the PC, run CamballManager3.exe (inside the CD-ROM) and CamBall Manager’s main menu will pop up.

  • Page 46: Recording Settings

    6.2.3.2. Audio Recording 6.2.2.4. Flip Vertical Choose RECORD SET>AUDIO SET and Choose CAMERA SET>FLIP VERTICAL and check the box, and then click Apply to enable. check the box, and then click Apply to enable. The default setting is On (checked). The default setting is Off (unchecked).
  • Page 47 6.2.3.6. RESOLUTION 6.2.3.4. Frame Rate (FPS) Choose RECORD SET>IMAGE Choose RECORD SET>QUALITY RESOLUTION and select the desired size SET>RECORDING SPEED and select the and then click Apply. FPS, and then click Apply. This option is set to 320X240. The default setting is 25 FPS. 6.2.3.7.
  • Page 48 Medium, Low, and Ultra Low. The default setting is Medium. 2. Video Recording Time Choose RECORD SET>OTHERS>MOTION DETECTION>RECORDING TIME and adjust Use this option to determine how long you wish CamBall to record video when motion is detected. After recording for the configured duration, CamBall will return to motion detection status(sleep mode).

  • Page 49: Playback Settings

    Repeat Folder, and Repeat All. The default setting is Repeat All. 6.2.4 Playback Settings 6.2.4.1. Video Playback 6.2.5 Date/Time Choose PLAYBACK SET>VIDEO PLAYBACK SET and select the setting. Choose DATE/TIME SET and set the date, Setting options available are Normal, Repeat, time, and display method.

  • Page 50: Other

    button. 6.2.6.2. Built-in Memory Choose MEMORY SET>BUILT-IN MEMORY 6.2.6.4. Memory Format and check the box, and then click Apply to Note Memory Format and Default Set enable. Memory Format erases all recorded data The default setting is On (checked). from the selected memory and should not be confused with Default Set, which restores all settings to factory default settings.
  • Page 51 6.2.7.2. Auto Power Off 6.2.7.4. Recording Duration After Engine Shutdown Choose OTHER>AUTO POWER OFF TIME and make your selection, and then click Apply. Choose OTHERS>VEHICLE BATTERY TIME and make your selection, and then click Apply. The default setting is 5 minutes. The default setting is 30 minutes.
  • Page 52 6.2.7.6. CamBall Reset Click Set Default under Default Set. A confirmation message will then prompt. Click Yes to reset all settings to default.
  • Page 53 Video Playback using CamBall (PMP) CamBall allows you to view video files that were created with a different device. Copy the video file on to CamBall and play it back with CamBall as if it had been created by CamBall. In order for video files to be played in CamBall, however, the video codec must be MPEG-4 and the audio codec MP3.

  • Page 54: Video Playback Using Camball (Pmp) . 53 Youtube

    YouTube YouTube is a global video hosting service by Google. Upload video files you generate using CamBall and share them with the world. Upload After entering all the information, click Upload. Video uploads are limited by YouTube to 10 From CamBall Manager, minutes in length and 1024MB in size.

  • Page 55: Reference Information

    Reference Information Default Settings The following default settings can be restored using the Default Set option. Note Menu Submenu Default Setting Brightness Contrast Camera Settings Night Mode Flip Vertical Video Audio Overwrite Speed (FPS) Quality High Recording Settings Fixed. Size 320 x 240 Zoom In Timestamp...

  • Page 56: Product Specifications

    Product Specifications Category Specification Note Luminance: less than 1 lux Camera CMOS (640x480 Resolution) Angle: 60° Built-In 128MB Flash Memory Memory External Micro SD Card Max. 16GB Photo Resolution 640 x 480 pixels 320x240 pixels Recording Resolution Recording Method Continuous/Motion detection Video Compression MPEG4+Starnex’s Algorithm Frame Rate...

  • Page 57: 10. Tips On Use

    10. Tips on Use 10.1 Safe Hardware Removal Whenever you disconnect CamBall from the PC, use the Safely Remove Hardware option. Otherwise, you might experience critical damage of your PC and/or the product. CamBall Manager features a direct Safely Safe Hardware Removal: Remove Hardware button for greater user 1.

  • Page 58: Warranty Policy

    Warranty This product is warranted against issues resulting from manufacturing or parts defect for twelve months (six months for the battery) from date of purchase. - Upon purchase of the product, fill out the following warranty information right away. - If you encounter any problem with product, contact the retailer or distributor right away. - Product repair, exchange, and refund will be provided to you in accordance with their respective policies.

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